First Selectman's Report 2/4/2022

Dear Colchester Residents,

 

 

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, so it looks like we are going to have six more weeks of winter!! What do you think Bill Murray would say? Please be careful on the roads today as there is a serious concern for black ice. As always, the First Selectman’s Report and the latest from the desk of Chatham Health.

 

Andreas Bisbikos

First Selectman

 

 

 

1.      Please be careful on the roads today. While precipitation is now forecasted to end by midafternoon, a flash freeze with widespread black ice is possible on roads where treatment was washed away by earlier rainfall.  A minor to moderate impact on the afternoon rush hours is possible with widespread black ice. This evening additional areas of black ice can be expected to develop as temperatures fall into the low 20’s.

2.      A special thank you to the Public Works department for a fantastic job handling snowstorm Bobby. I had the opportunity to see the conditions firsthand with Mike Previti. We are very fortunate to the overall level of dedication. Great article in this week’s Rivereast!!

3.      Another big thank you to the Colchester Business Association for inviting me to speak and present the First Selectman’s “State of Colchester”. It has been a very exciting and productive first three months!!

4.      The 13th Annual Freezin’ for a Reason will take place from Friday, February 12th to Sunday, February 14th to raise money for the Colchester Fuel Bank. In 12 years, the cause has raised an impressive $140K for our wonderful community. Thank you so much!!

5.      Request for proposals (RFPs) for an independent consultant to review ARPA applications are now closed. RFPs are being reviewed and recommendations will be presented to the Board of Selectmen for a vote during the next regular meeting on Thursday, February 17th. As a reminder, there is $1M in ARPA funds specifically earmarked for our local businesses. A business may receive up to $25K in federal funds. Please apply and complete your ARPA Application here: https://www.colchesterct.gov/your-government/arpa-ad-hoc-committee   You may reach out to [email protected]  if you have any further questions.

6.      The Board of Finance has made their annual budget survey available to the public. To take the survey please click this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/D5B3XBT

7.      Housing Affordability Survey: Connecticut can be an expensive place to live. The Town of Colchester Planning and Zoning Department is requesting a few minutes of your time to complete a survey regarding the issue of Housing Affordability. The Town is working with a consultant to prepare a plan to increase the amount of and access to more affordable housing options in town. Please use the following link to access the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ColchesterAffordableHousing 

For related information about Affordable Housing, including who needs it, what it looks like, and how to provide more of it, please visit the following link for a webpage addressing these issues and more: https://arcg.is/1Wq8Wj

8.      A new C-TIP application has officially been received. ARK Distillery (Acts of Random Kindness) is a vision by two women to start a whiskey infusion business which is fun, socially responsible, environmentally friendly and produces an enjoyable product. They will be partnering with an established distiller in Kentucky, with a 6-year goal of distilling bourbon and whiskey at their Colchester location.

9.      The Colchester Veterans Honor Guard is actively looking for veterans to become members, so they can continue to provide funeral honors to all deceased veterans. They meet the first and third Tuesday of every month from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Veteran’s Room of the Colchester Senior Center, 95 Norwich Ave. If you are interested, please contact Alphonse Letendre at [email protected]

10.  The Fair Rent Commission, which has been vacant for years, needs applicants. If you are interested in serving our community, please consider filling out a form here: https://www.colchesterct.gov/files/      

11.  The Board of Selectmen approved for Professional Engineering Services to conduct a water tank inspection on the 40 ft. tall tank at Elmwood Heights and an investigation into filter plant underdrain failure and upgrade options.

12.  The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved of the authorization for the First Selectman to sign all paperwork associated with the DECD Urban Act Grant of 2.5M for the new senior center.

13.  The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved a fixed price agreement with Connecticut Propane & Petroleum. The company will provide a fix price on propane for $2.00 a gallon from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.

14.  The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved creating an Agri-tourism webpage on the Town of Colchester website – highlighting Colchester farmers, equestrians, livestock, forestry, beekeeping, and all other forms of agriculture.

15.  The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved a Covid Kiosk Testing with Curative, Inc. The testing will be located near the pavilion at the Colchester Parks and Recreation, 215 Old Hebron Road.

Testing will occur between February 17th through April 17th. The site will be in operation Monday through Saturday, 8 am to 4 pm.

 

 

Overall, the District had 643 cases during this reporting period – a decrease of 356 cases (or 36%) compared to the last reporting period​ – though reported cases remain higher than the peak of last winter, and reported cases continue to vastly underestimate the true burden of COVID-19 in our communities, largely due to changes in how residents seek testing. If residents choose to gather together, even in small groups, at this time they should expect exposure to COVID-19.

 

Hospitalizations have continued to decline, with 869 patients currently hospitalized. Weekly statewide fatalities remain high, but declined slightly for a second consecutive reporting period, with 175 fatalities in the last week. DPH data show that approximately 75% of Chatham Health District residents are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (booster data is not yet available). Though the Omicron variant has shown an ability to infect people who are fully vaccinated, vaccination continues to provide significant protection from severe disease.

 

Compared to being vaccinated, being unvaccinated currently has the following relative risk:

• 15 Times higher risk of dying from COVID-19

• 7 Times higher risk of being hospitalized with COVID-19

In order to protect yourself and others from COVID-19:

Avoid indoor social gatherings with people from multiple households, especially if there will be high risk, or unvaccinated people in attendance.

Get vaccinated if you have not already done so.

Get a booster shot if you are eligible.

Getting tested for COVID-19 especially if you are sick, or as close as possible before gathering in large groups even if you feel well.

At-home tests are a convenient way to accomplish this if available.

At-home tests can be ordered online (now at no cost using www.covidtest.gov) or at many local pharmacies, though supplies remain limited.

STAY HOME if you are sick or have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 5 days, and DO NOT leave home until at least 5 days have passed since your symptoms began or since you tested positive, you are feeling much better, and no longer have a fever.*

Wear a mask in crowded indoor public settings**

 

New treatments have become available for COVID-19 recently, including more convenient and highly effective medications that can be taken at home. Though many newer medications continue to be in very short supply, if you become sick with COVID-19, contact your doctor to discuss treatment options. If you are at high risk for severe disease, even if you are vaccinated, do not delay seeking treatment. Being vaccinated, combined with early treatment is an important predictor of better outcomes, especially for high-risk individuals.

 

Chatham Health District is coordinating testing and vaccine clinics, and the surge in demand that led to long lines during the holidays has eased. To see upcoming scheduled vaccine and testing clinics in the district, visit our website: https://www.chathamhealth.org/services-2, or call 2-1-1. Residents who are sick but are unable to get tested should assume they have COVID-19 and isolate for at least 5 days*.

* CDC issued updated quarantine and isolation guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolati...

** Masks should completely cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly against the sides of face without gaps. Loose-fitting, cloth face coverings provide less protection than surgical masks, KN95, or N95 masks. Many municipalities are distributing high quality KN95 or N95 masks to the public. Residents should check their town’s website for details.

 

Click here for the current weekly status report.

Click here for the latest from the Dept. of Emergency Services & Public Protection